FTX Crypto Cup 2022 R4: Praggnanandhaa scores a crushing victory over Aronian

by Shahid Ahmed - 19/08/2022

Praggnanandhaa had beaten Aronian only once earlier this year. That changed yesterday when the 17-year-old defeated the two-time FIDE World Cup winner in consecutive games to win the match. The Armenian, now representing USA, had his chance in the second game which he was unable to capitalize on. He trapped his own queen in the first ten moves of the third game. The much experienced artist was unable to get a foothold in the fourth game and lost it too. Magnus Carlsen also had the exact score as Praggnanandhaa en route his victory over Liem Quang Le. Firouzja and Giri won their matches against Duda and Niemann respectively. Round 5 starts tonight at 9:30 p.m. IST. Photo: ChessBase India live stream

No tie-breaks needed

Anish Giri scored his first match win of the event against Hans Niemann who is yet to win a single match. Just like the first round, the fourth round also required no tie-breaks.

Praggnanandhaa scored a thumping victory over Aronian | Photo: ChessBase India live stream

Praggnanandhaa - Aronian: 3-1

After a draw in the first game, Aronian had a great chance in the second one against Praggnanandhaa.

Aronian - Praggnanandhaa, Game 2

Position after 18...Bg3

Since Black has both of his bishops under attack, defending the queen at the right place will cost him one of the bishops. 19.Qc4 was the correct way to proceed as Be6 is met by 20.d5 forcing Black to drop a bishop. The game continued 19.Qe4 Bf5 20.Qf3 Rfe8 21.Be2 Bb8 22.Qh5 Qxh5 23.Bxh5 and eventually it meandered into a draw.

Aronian trapped his own queen in the first ten moves of the third game.

Praggnanandhaa - Aronian, Game 3

Position after 10...b6

10...b6 is an unforced error which traps Black's own queen after 11.a4. Praggnanandhaa did not want to make things obvious. So first he went 11.Qb3 Bd7 and now he went 12.a4. The game proceeded 12...e6 13.Ra2 Bc6 14.Bb5 c4 15.Qxc4 Rc8 16.Qb3 a6 17.c4 and it's over for Black. Aronian resigned after 17 more moves.

How did Praggnanandhaa trap Aronian's queen in just 17 moves | Video: ChessBase India

Praggnanandhaa repeated the same pawn sacrifice line in the English Opening in the fourth game which he played in the second. However, this time the Armenian now residing in the USA, deviated 12.Bd2 instead of the previous 12.Nc3.

Aronian - Praggnanandhaa, Game 4

Position after 20...Nxd4!

Praggnanandhaa made a very interesting sacrifice, 20...Nxd4 21.exd4 Rxe2+ 22.Nxe2 Qe4. Now White needed to defend 23.Be3 instead he opted for 23.Bg5 Re8 24.Be3 a6 25.Qa4 b5 26.Qxa6 which gave Black some good chances. 26...Qf3 is the correct way to continue. However, having less time on the clock and playing against the two-time FIDE World Cup winner, did not make things easy practically. He played 26...Qxh1+ 27.Kd2 and White managed to equalize, only to blunder in the final moments, lose the game and the match. Thus, Praggnanandhaa maintained his lead by defeating Aronian 3-1.